Direction finding system



Jan. 29, 1946.` w. P. LEAR 2,393,644

` DIRECTION FINDING SYSTEM Filed July 24, 1943 IN V EN TOR. W4/4M f2 .f4/f

MGM

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 29, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE 2 3l93,644n v DIRECTION FINDING SYSTEM William P. Lear, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Lear, Incorporated, Piqua, Ohio', a corporation of `Illinois Application July 24, 1943, Serial No. 495,977

1 6 Claims 'Ilhis invention relates to radio direction finding systems for mobile craft and more particularly relates to novel instrument approach radio receivr systems and methods for guiding an aircraft to a landing runway, and the like. This case is a continuation vin part of my ccpending application entitled Radio guidance system, Serial No. 291,807, filed August 25, 1939, which is assigned to the same assignee as is this case.

The instrument approach system of the present invention is designed to continuously indicate to the pilot his` exact relative lateral position with respect to the airport in general, and his exact position with respect to the approach path to the runway. The receiver system of my invention operates in conjunction with two 'spaced nondirectional transmitters which areplaced in line with the desired runway. The two transmitter stations have the same' carrier frequency and their signals are dilierentiated bytone m'odul'a` tions. The radiations of the two transmitters are successively switched on and olf at predetermined intervals.

The directional receiver system of my invention is simultaneously tuned to both transmitters and has two needle indicators arranged to continu-V ously and independently point out the direction to each of the transmitters. The pilot is thus continually made aware of his position. The two indicator needles of the receiver are in line with a center-zero index when'the pilot is on-course with the runway. he passes`"over the outer transmitter, the out` indicator needle reverses by 180. This serves as a marker indication to apprise him of his exact distance fromv the 'edge of the runway. As thepilot `cntinues `"on 'course to the `rnnway, the second or i'n needle will reverse by' 180? whenhepasses over the inner transmitter station. 'No' separate marker beacons aretluslece'ssary,` y J i' In accordance with the invention I provide a receiver installation which is essentially an auto! matic 360:". radio directional indicator or comhaving a dlectionalantenna and two indicaters 'arranged for. interinittentY connection to the antenna Vdurfls the approach operations in response to predetermined eld transmitter tone signals. The radiation of either one or both transmitters which'is received by the receiver system of the invention, may be tone modulated. A relay unit is controlled bythe tone signals radiated by one of the transmitters. lThis relay unit, in turn, operates switches'for successively and alternatelyconnecting the two indicators to the position transmitter' or` the, 'directional' an;

tenna to indicate the directional bearing of the transmitter to which each indicator is responsive. If both transmitters generate individual audio frequency modulated signals, two relays are employed for positively operating the indicator switches. One of the relays is energized at a time in response to the received tone signals of its associated field transmitter.

It is accordingly an object of my present invention to provide a novel lateral position radio indication method and system comprising two separate directional indicators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel radio lateral position indicator system continuously effective in apprising the pilot of his exact relative position with respect to two spaced transmitter stations.

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide a novel direction nding system for indicating the lateral position of a mobile craft with respect to two spaced radio transmitters and comprising a single directional antenna and radio receiver.

These and further objects of my present invention will become apparent in the following description of eXemplications thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a schematic diagram illustrating one formwhich the directional receiver system of the invention may assume in practice. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram cf another form which the directional receiver system may assume in practice, comprising two relays and a dual position indicator unit.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1, the direction finding receiver system shown here is responsive to radio signals from two transmitters both having the same car-V rier frequency. The radio signals from one of the two' transmitters are distinguished by an audio frequency tone." YThe two transmitters which are used in connection with the direction nding receiver system of the invention are preferably spaced apart and aligned with a land- Q ing runway chosen for the landing of the aircraft.

' Inthe form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, a single loop antenna l0 is used in conjunction with a single automatic directional receiver unit l5 and non-directional antenna 2li. Directional receiver unit Iii is tuned to the carrier frequency chosen for the two eld transmitters. One of the'two transmitters is modulated with an audio frequency of, for example, '75 cycles, or 150 or soocyles. `vvith the receiver system of the present invention the two field transmitters preferably are made to radiate alternately for a period of one-third to one-half of a second.

Loop antenna I preferably is mounted outside the structure of the aircraft for most efcient signal pick-up, and advantageously may be enclosed in a streamline housing indicated in dotted lines at II to minimize the aerodynamic resistance thereof during iiight. The terminal leads of directional antenna I0 are connected to g slip rings I2, I2, which in turn are connected to dications are provided.

the automatic receiver unit I5 by leads I3. Con- A* trol motor I4 for antenna I0 is connected to loop shaft I6 through electromagnetic clutch II and gearing I8, 2|. Clutch I'I and motor I4 are electrically connected in parallel to the proper motor control section of automatic receiver I5 by leads 22. Upon deenergization of motor I4, electromagnetic clutch I'I instantaneously disconnects motor I4 fromV shaft I6 toi'prevent hunting or overshooting of antenna I0. A practical design for the automatic directional receiver unit I5 In practice, antenna I0 may be rapidly moved, say at the Vrate of 150 per second, by motor I6 to the null point with respect to the direction of the oncoming waves from one of the transmitter stations. ."Only one of the two stations is transis described in detail in my copending application, Y

Serial No. 291,807, and in my Patent No. 2,308,521, issued January 19, 1943. electromagnetic clutch is described in detail in my Patent No. 2,267,114, issued December 23, 1941, assigned to the same assignee as this case.

An electrical telemetering arrangement employing loop antenna position transmitter 23 coupled to shaft |16 is provided in conjunction with a remote dual indicatorarrangement comprising separate indicators 24, 25. The preferred telemetering arrangement is the direct current Selsyn type energized through battery 2'6, although other types may equally well be used. Three-wire leads 21 connect loop position transmitter 23 to either of the remote indicators 24 or 25 through a relay unit 30. Y Three-wire leads 28 and 3| Vconnect indicator `units 24 and 25, respectively, to relay unit 30. A

The relay Aunit comprises relay armatures 32, 33 and 34 actuated by relay Solenoid 35. In the indicated position, indicator unit is connected to cable 2l and position transmitter 23 through back contacts 35, 3l and 38 of relay unit 30: When relay solenoid 35 is energized, indicator unit 25 is disconnected from transmitter 23, and indicator unit 24 is connected thereto through front contacts 40, 4I and 42 of the relay unit 30. p Relay solenoid 35 is connected to the automatic receiver unit I5 through pass-filter 45. Solenoid 35 is energized by the transmitted modulated tone, say 75 cycles. A preferred arrangement for the actuation of solenoid 35 is such that the solenoid is normally not energized, connecting indicator unit 25 to position transmitter 23. Upon reception of a radio signal modulated by a A preferred form of' substantial 75 cycle (or other predetermined frequency) tone signal, solenoid 35 is arranged to be energized to switch position transmitter 23 from indicator unit 25 to indicator unit 24.

Solenoid 35 thus is selectively energized and deenergized in accordance with the reception of the modulating tone signal from either of the two transmitter stations at the landing field. Indicator unit 24 contains needle I, corresponding to one of the field transmitters, and indicator unit 25 contains needle 2 corresponding to the other transmitter.

The principle of the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 is the selective connection of each of the two position indicators to the position transmitter of a single directional antenna system controlled by a single automatic directional Vmitting at one time, and the automatic receiver I5 is tuned to their common radio carrier frequency.l Motor I4 Will be energized whenever antenna I0 is not at the null signal position With respect to the eld station transmitting. The movement of antenna IIlto its directional position with respect to one or the other of the tw-o vstations is suiciently rapid that it assumes the stablenull signalposition well within the period of transmission ofthe stations, say one-third or one-half of a second.

Whenindicator 24, corresponding to the in transmitter station, is connected to position transmitter 23, its needle I is immediately moved to the position on the scale .corresponding to the orientation of the mechanism Within the loop position transmitter 23 caused by the transmission of that station. In the drawing indicator 25, having needle 2, is shown connected to loop position transmitter 23. Needle 2 points out the direction to the second'or out station upon its indicated connection, since loop antenna I0 is moved to a stable on-course position with respect to the second stati'on'beforeY that station ceases its transmission interval and the connection of meter 25 to position transmitter 23 is effected prior to that time. Needle 2 then remains stationary Yon the scale of indicator 25, providing a continuous bearing on the ou transmitter.

When the seco-nd or out station ceases transmitting and the first or in station starts transmitting, directional receiver I5, tuned to Itheir common frequency, distinguishes between these two stations by the `predetermined relay tone modulation of one of them. The predetermined tone, say 75 cycles, is selectively passed by filter 45 to energize relay 35 and operate relay armatures 32, 33` and 34 to their front contacts 40, 4I and 42, respectively. This disconnects indicator 25 from position transmitter 23 and connects indicator 24 thereto instead. The action of the electrical telemetering arrangement herein describedV is similar to the action of the direct current Y Selsyn transmitter as described in my said Patent No. 2,308,521, particularly in connec- .tion with Fig. 10 thereof. Needle I assumes the `angular Vposition corresponding to the position of the rotatable mechanism Within position transmitter 23, in turn corresponding accurately to the angular .position of loop antenna I0. Needle I retains this position, thus giving a continuous bearing on the in transmitter station.

The action of relay armatures 32, 33 and 34 is slowed or otherwise damped in any suitable manner so that connection of position transmitter 23 to either indicator 24 or 25 is materially delayed. A suitable delay is about half the station transmission interval. In other words, the movement of relay armatures 32, 33 and 34 from one set of contacts-tc: the other, isf made to consumeA about half the4 time ofv thel Whole switching interval. To this endA I prefer to utilize a double acting dash-:pot 46 connected with relay armatures 32, 33 and' 34v by rod 4l. Dash-pot 4.6'. houses piston 48A whichu retards .the movement of` rod 4:1, and hencel of relay` armatures 32, 33V and 34., in either direction. Springs. |I connected to relay arma,- tures 32, 33"` andz34. urge the, armaturesdovvnwards against the attractingV force of solenoid45. Thus, the relay armatures remain on one orthe other set of the-relay contactsy for a time interval corresponding toabout half orless of the period: of transmission ofY the two. transmitter stations. In the case where the stations transmit. each for one-.third ofa second, relay armatures 32', 33; and 34.are made` to take. one-sixth of' a second or less to move` from one set of* relayA contacts to the other.

It isto beunderstood that the damping action produced by dash-.pot 46 on the relayarmatures may be designed to consume more or less than such amount. The advantage due to the delay in indicator connection is to reduce unnecessary movements of indicatorvneedles l and 2, thus pro: vid-ing substantially continuous bearing indications. Thus, the directional positioning of loop antenna I0 relative to the iieldv station transmitters is eiected without unduly disturbingthe positions of' needles l and 2 from their at rest indications. The delayedI actionk on the relay armatures connects the proper indicator in circuit when antenna IU has been moved practically to its new stable bearing position with respect to the corresponding transmitter station. As soon as either indicator is connected to loop position transmitter 23, it quickly indicates the angular position of loop I0.

When the station tuned-in ceases transmitting, the signals from the otherstation condition solenoid to change the position of relay armatures 32, 33 and` 34. Connection of indicator 24 or 25 to unit 23y isthereupon immediately broken` and its Acorresponding reading is frozen Due to the damping action of dash-pot 46, the relay armatures are slowly moved into the opposite position. Automatic receiver I5, however, in the meantime quickly energizes loop motor i4 in the manner described in my copending application Serial No. 291,807, to reorient antenna I0 so that the antenna is quickly moved to the directional position bearing on the eld station transmitting, preferably within about half the time of the transmission interval. When the loop reorientation is about completed, the corresponding indicator is connected to position transmitter I23 through the action of armatures 32, 33 and 34 delayed b-y virtue of dash-pot 46, and the needle thereof quickly changes its previously frozen position to the angular position corresponding to the new bearing of antenna I0 on the then transmitting eld station. The described action is repeated for the next transmission interval.

A modified arrangement of' the receiver system is ilustrated in Fig. 2. The system of Fig. 2 is responsive to radio signals generated by two separate transmitter stations with both signals being audio frequency modulated. Both transmitters have Ithe same carrier frequency. The arrangement in Fig. 2 also incorporates a dual indicator replacing the indicators 24 and 25 of Fig. 1. As a number of elements in Fig. 2 are the same in Fig. l, like reference lcharacters primed have been used to designate the same or corresponding parts.

` tral spindle 64 pivoted in a bearing 68.

As .in Fig, 1, the receiver-system of Fis. 2Com: prisesaldirectionalv antenna I0', an automatic directional systemV l 5 and anondirectional antenna 21151. Antenna It! is provided with connections. torings I2. lg2, connected through leads I3.l to automatic directional system, l5. A motor M is` operative to rotate antenna shaft |6- through an electromagnetic clutch Il and gearing |18", 2l. An antenna position transmitter 23.."is-.providedg and is connected to a relay unit 35 through leads 21. Transmitter 23 is connectedto a source of current such as a battery 25';

The relay unit 39 comprises solenoids 55V and 65.; Solenoid 55. is connected to` the output of automatic` directional system l5' through filter 55; and leads 55. Leads 51 connect solenoid 6D to filter 'I0-which is-connected to. automatic directional system I5 through leads 5,8. Filter 55,y is designed to emciently, pass the modulated tone signal radiated Ibyone of the two transmitters to energize solenoid 55 to move relay armatures 32', 33, and 34, into engagementwith upper contacts 40", 4l andl 42;'. Similarly, pass lter TQ is designed to efficiently pass the relay tonewsignal' radiated` by the othery transmitter to energize solenoid 6D. Such energization attracts the r-elay armatures to the position shown in the drawing, in` which they are in engagement with back contacts 36", 37 and 3,8'. Each set of relay contacts is connected to one element of aV dualindicator 15.

Dual indicator I5 includes a housing GI enclosing direct current Selsyn movements for both needles I' and 2. These movements have corresponding torroidal or annular actuating coils S2 and 53. Coil 62 is connected by leads 3| tothe back contacts of the relay unit 30'. Coil 63 is connected by leads 2,3 to the front contacts of relay unit 30. Needle 2 is connected to a cen- A magnetic core 61, `shovvn in dotted lines is secured to spindle 6,4 and arranged to coact magnetically with winding 62 in the usual manner of such telemetering arrangements.

Indicator needle I is secured to a sleeve 68 which surrounds spindle 64 and has a bearing in an intermediate member 1I. A magnetic core 'i2 is secured t0 sleeve 68, and arranged to coact magnetically with winding 63 in the usual manner of such telemetering arrangements. It will be noted that needles If and 2 are coaxially arranged but independently rotatable. A casing 13 is provided with a flange 'I4 tting Within housing 6-l. A window 'i6 of transparent material is secured in casing 13 and contains the scale for the indications of the needles.

The operation of this system is essentially the same as that disclosed in Fig. 1. When the transmitter having a tone modulation to which lter 10 is responsive is transmitting, solenoid 60 is energized to move the relay armatures 32', 33 and 34 into engagement with the back contacts of the relay unit 30'. Winding 62 is thus connected to the transmitting unit 23" and needle 2 is moved to indicate the directional bearing of antenna itl' on the transmitting` station. Needle 2 retains its position to give a continuous indication on the transmitter station. After a predetermined interval which may be from onethird to one-.half a second, the other transmitter station starts to radiate. Its tone modulation is designed to pass filter 65 and thus energize solenoid 55 to move the relay armatures to a. position engaging the front contacts of the relay unit. Coil 63 is thus connected to the. telemetering transmitter 23' and needle l is thereby moved to indicate the directional bearing of antenna l' with respect to such second transmitter.

As in Fig. 1, it is desirable that 4the coils 62 and63 -be connected to transmitter 23 only when antenna I0 has substantially completed its orienting movement with respect to the transmitter then radiating. For this purpose, dash-pots 11 and 13 are provided, each having pistons 8l and'BZ, respectively. Pistons 8l and 82 are oonnected to rod 83 which inturn is connected to each of the relay armatures. The dash-pots are so designed as to Ibe effective to delay the movement of relay armatures 32', 33 and 34 from one position to the other for a period of about half the transmitting time of the radio transmitters. Thus, dash-pot 11 will retard the movement of the relay armatures from their upper position to the lower position, and dash-pot 18 will retard the movement of the armatures from the lower position to the upper position.

The system illustrated in Fig. 2 has an advantage in that the relay armatures are moved positively'to connect either indicating'needle I or indicating needle 2 with the loop position transmitter 23. Furthermora'the dual indicator 'l5 permits easier observation of the relatively angular displacement of needles I' and 2. This is so because the needles are coaxially arranged and viewed against the same scale.

While speciiic embodiments of the invention have been described to illustrate the application of the principles thereof, it will be obvious that the invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. The method of laterally guiding a mobile craft with respect to a predetermined path which comprises successively transmitting radio signals of substantially the same frequency at predetermined intervals from two points spaced along the path by predetermined amounts, directionally receiving the radio signals aboard the craft, deriving an accurate directional bearing on each of the radio signals during the transmission intervals and maintaining the derived bearings during the intervals of non-transmission of the corresponding radio signals.

2. The method of laterally guiding an aircraft with respect to a predetermined path of approach to a runway which comprises successively transmitting radio signals at predetermined intervals from Vtwo points spaced along the path, deriving individual directional bearings on each of the radio signals with respect to the position of the aircraft during their respective transmission in-l tervals and maintaining the derived bearings during the intervals of non-transmission of the vcorresponding radio signals.

3. The method of laterally guiding an aircraft with respect to a predetermined path o-f approach to a runway which comprises successively transmitting radio signals of substantially the same frequency at predetermined substantially equal intervals from two points spaced along the path, directionally receiving said radio signals aboard the aircraft, deriving an accurate directional indication on each of the radio signals during thel transmission intervals Vand individually maintaining the derived indications during the intervals Vof non-transmission of the corresponding radio signals.

4. The method of laterally guiding a mobile craft with respect to a predetermined path which comprises successively transmitting radio signals of the same .frequency at predetermined substantially equal intervalsv from two points spaced along the path by predetermined amounts,

modulating one of the radio signals with a distinguishingV audio frequency note, directionally receiving said radio signals aboard the craft, deriving a directional bearing on each of 'the radio signals with respect to the position of the craft during their respective transmission intervals, and maintaining the derived bearings during Ythe respective intervals of Ynon-transmission.`

Y prising a rotatableA directional antenna; a receiver unit for automatically orienting said directional antenna to bearing positions with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter connected with said directional antenna for telemete'ring its orientation; two position indicators arranged for individual connection with said position transmitter; and means'responsive to successively received radio signals for correspondingly successively connecting one of said 4position indicators with said position transmitter upon completion of the bearing orientation of said directional antenna with respect to an associated received radio signal and disconnecting said one position indicator upon reorientaton of said directional antenna with respect to a different received radio signal,'whereby the directionaly bearing indication on the associated radio signal is maintained on said one indicator.

7. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter coupled to said antenna-and effective to -telemeter its orientation; two position indicators arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each position indicator being responsive to a different radio signal; said receiver unit being responsive to each of. said different radio signals; a device for selectively connecting each indicator to said `position transmitter in response to reception by said antenna of the radio signal to which each indicator is responsive; and mechanism for delaying the connection of each position indicator to said position transmitter until the substantial completion of the orientation of said directional antenna with respect to the received radio signal tov which such indicator is responsive.

8. A radio directional receiving system comprising a, rotatable directional antenna; a receiver `unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter coupled to said antenna and effective to -telerneter its orientation; two position indicators arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each position indicator being responsive Vto a different radio signal; said receiver unit being responsive to each of said different radio signals; and a device comprising a relay unit including two sets of contacts, each set connected to ione of said indicators, movable armatures connected to said position transmitter, and .selectively operable means for moving said armatures from one set of contacts to the other set `for selectively connecting each indicator to said position transmitter in response to reception by .said antenna of the radio signal to which each indicator is responsive.

9. A radio directional receiving system comprising `a rotatable Adirectional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter coupled to said antenna and eiective to telemeter its orientation; two position in dicators arranged to indicate the orientaion of said antenna, each position indicator being responsive to a different radio signal; said receiver unit being responsive to each of said diierent radio signals; a device for selectively connecting each indicator to said position transmitter in response to reception by said antenna of the radio signal to which each indicator is responsive; and mechanism for delaying the connection of each .position indicator to said position transmitter until the substantial completion of the orientation of said directional antenna with respect to the received radio signal to which such indicator is responsive.

10. A radio directional receiving system comu prising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmittei1 coupled to said antenna and effective to telemeter its orientation; two position indicators arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each position indicator being responsive to a different radio signal; said receiver unit being responsive to each of said different radio signals; a device for selectively connecting each indicator to said position transmitter in response to reception by said antenna of the radio signal to which each indicator is responsive; and mechanism including motion retarding means associated with said device for delaying the connection of each position indicator to said .position transmitter until the substantial completion of the orientation of said directional antenna with respect to the received radio signal to `which such indicator is responsive.

11. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter coupled to said antenna and effective to telemeter its orientation; two position indicators arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each position indicator being responsive to a different radio signal; said receiver unit being responsive to each of said different radio signals; a device for selectively connecting each indicator to said position transmitter in response to reception by said antenna of the radio signal to which each indicator is responsive; and mechanism including dash-pot means associated with said device for delaying the connection of each position indicator to said position transmitter until the substantial completion ofthe orientation of said directional antenna with respect to the received signal to which such indicator is responsive.

12. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter coupled -to :said antenna :and effective to telemeter kits orientation; two position indicators arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each position indicator being responsive to a different `radio signal; said receiver unit being responsive to each of said different radio signals; anda device including pass lter means yfor'selectively .connecting each indicator to said position transmitter in response to reception by saidiantenna of the radio signal to which each indicator is responsive.

13. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received tone modulated radio signals; a positionY transmitter coupled to said antenna andneiective to telemeter its orientation; two position indicators arranged to indicate the orientation of s aid antenna, each position indicator being responsive to a different one of such radio signals; said receiver unit being responsive to each of such different radio signals; a device comprising a relay unit including two sets of contacts, each set connected to one of said indicators, movable armatures connected to said position transmitter, and a pair of solenoids for moving said armatures from one set of contacts to the other set, each solenoid being energized in response to reception of one of such diierent radio signals by said antenna; and a pair of pass filters each connected between one of said solenoids and said receiver unit, each filter passing the tone modulation of one of such radio signals to energize its associated solenoid.

`lll. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received tone modulated radio signals; a position transmitter coupled to said antenna and effective to telemeter its orientation; a dual position indicator including a pair of elements each arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each indicator element being responsive to a diierent one of such radio signals; said receiver unit being responsive to each of such different radio signals; and a device for selectively connecting each indicator element to said position transmitter in response to reception by saidu antenna of the radio signal to which each indicator element is responsive.

15. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received radio signals; a position transmitter coupled to said antenna and eiective to telemeter its orientation; a dual position indicator including a pair of elements each arranged to indicate the orientation of said antenna, each indicator element being responsive to different radio signals; said receiver unit being responsive to each of such different radio signals; and a device for selectively connecting each indicator element to said position transmitter in response to reception -by said antenna of the radio signals to which each indicator element is responsive, said device comprising a relay unit including tWo sets of contacts, each set connected to one of said indicator elements, movable armatures connected to said position transmitter, and selectively operable means for moving said armatures from one set of contacts to the other set.

16. A radio directional receiving system comprising a rotatable directional antenna; a receiver unit operative to orient said antenna with respect to received tone modulated radio signals; a position transi'nitter coupled to said antenna and yeffectiveV to telemeter its orientatioma dual posi- -tionindicator including a pair of elements each .radio signals; a device comprising a relay unit including two sets of contacts, each set connected to one of said indicator elements, movable armatures connectedntorsaid position transmitter, and a pair of solenoidsfo'r movingfsaid armatures from one set of contacts to the other set, each solenoid being energized in response to reception of one ofrsuch-different'radiosi@ nais by said antenna;`an d apair of pass lters each connected between one of said solenoids and 'said receiver unit, each lt'er vpassing the tone modulation ofV one of such radio-'signals toenergize its associated solenoid. A

Wim l' AM P. maria.. 

